Archives by: Gary Hoag

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10

“All the towering materialism which dominates the modern mind rests ultimately upon one assumption; a false assumption. It is supposed that if a thing goes on repeating itself it is probably dead; a piece of clockwork. People feel that if the universe was personal it would vary; if the sun were alive it would dance. This is a fallacy even in relation to known fact. For the variation in human affairs is generally brought into them, not by life, but by death; by the dying down or breaking off of their strength or desire.

A man varies his movements because of some slight element of failure or fatigue. He gets into an omnibus because he is tired of walking; or he walks because he is tired of sitting still. But if his life and joy were so gigantic that he never tired of going to Islington, he might go to Islington as regularly as the Thames goes to Sheerness. The very speed and ecstasy of his life would have the stillness of death. The sun rises every morning. I do not rise every morning; but the variation is due not to my activity, but to my inaction.

Now, to put the matter in a popular phrase, it might be true that the sun rises regularly because he never gets tired of rising. His routine might be due, not to a lifelessness, but to a rush of life. The thing I mean can be seen, for instance, in children, when they find some game or joke that they specially enjoy. A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony.

But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. The repetition in nature may not be a mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore.”

G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) in Orthodoxy (London: John Lane Company, 1908) 33-34.

Orthodoxy is another one from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. Here Chesterton teaches us a valuable lesson that fits well with the Christmas season often filled with materialism: “exult in monotony.”

We get bombarded with messages that “new” or “more” will better satisfy our needs. Chesterton reminds us to not only “exult in monotony” perhaps through the face of a child this Christmas season, and to celebrate repetition in nature as a “theatrical encore” of the Creator.

Yesterday, we observed Christmas as a family. Sure, it was 8 days early. But with schedules and travel going different directions, it was the day we could all get together. We ate food, played games, and exchanged some gifts celebrating the birth of Jesus, God’s greatest gift to us.

I loved hearing my granddaughter giggle. Her joy does not link to any material gifts she got. It connected to the bliss of bouncing on my knee. Her squeals said “do it again” though she cannot yet form words. And the delight on her face proclaims the good news of the birth of the Savior.

So, this Christmas, exult in the monotony that our good God has given us another year to live, give, serve, and love. In that light, we serve as God’s encore that can bring a weary world to rejoicing. More is not better. Celebrate the monotony in nature that brings into view the generosity and faithfulness of God.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 1 Peter 4:1

“Indeed, the truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers most: and his suffering comes to him from things so little and so trivial that one can say that it is no longer objective at all. It is his own existence, his own being, that is at once the subject and the source of his pain, and his very existence and consciousness is his greatest torture. This is another of the great perversions by which the devil uses our philosophies to turn our whole nature inside out, and eviscerate all our capacities for good, turning them against ourselves.”

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) in The Seven Story Mountain (New York: Harcourt, 1948) 107

The Seven Story Mountain is another one from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. Here Merton teaches why we should not try to avoid suffering. In short, it “eviscerates all our capacities for good.”

Think about it. Christ embraced rather than avoided suffering. We must have the same attitude. God allows it to stop us in our tracks, to cause our reflection and the changing of directions, often turning from sin and turning to Him. Perhaps you can relate? I know I can.

But notice a related idea today which teaches us what happens when we try to avoid suffering. Merton helps us see that it causes fear to control us. The little possibilities of life consume our attention, which in turn eviscerates all our capacities for good.

So without fear of suffering, let us resolve to live, give, serve, and love generously. Let us not worry about whether we will have enough money or time or energy, but trust God to sustain us. Fear of suffering can hinder our generosity, while the righteous will live by faith.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Since all the downward tracts of time
God’s watchful eye surveys,
Oh! why so wise to choose our lot,
And regulate our ways?

Since none can doubt His equal love
Unmeasurably kind,
To his unerring gracious will
Be every wish resigned.

Good when He gives, supremely good;
Nor less when He denies,
Even cross from His sovereign hand,
Are blessings in disguise.”

Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life, being Conversations and Letters of Brother Lawrence. The third stanza of this poem is found in the front matter to the book.

The Practice of the Presence of God is another one from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. Herein Brother Lawrence teaches us how to navigate life. In short, remain in thankful prayer.

As you read this poem, did a word or phrase stand out to you? Ponder with the Spirit why this may be the case. What might God be saying to you? I was touched by three points linked to generosity and my current situation. Let me explain.

Firstly, I love the part that “none can doubt His equal love, unmeasurably kind.” Imagine if there was a limit to the love of God? We’d all be in trouble! He knows our needs and can measure what we need when we need it. Such amazing love and kindness!

Secondly, our God is “good when He gives, supremely good.” It inspires me that though I might have personal needs or GTP may have needs, because He’s supremely good, or in plain terms, because He’s the best, I can trust Him to supply.

Thirdly, and this really hit me: “nor less when He denies.” God’s goodness to us remains supremely good, even when He does not answer our requests as we offer them up, because His plans for us are even better than our own. They may just be blessings in disguise.

Father in Heaven, thanks for all your blessings and even for hard times. We resolve to rejoice always and pray continually with thankfulness. Shape us into humble submission to your will so our lives bring you glory. Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:17-21

“If there be skilled workmen in the monastery, let them work at their art in all humility, if the Abbot giveth his permission. But if anyone of them should grow proud by reason of his art, in that he seemeth to confer a benefit on the monastery, let him be removed from that work and not return to it, unless after he hath humbled himself, the Abbot again ordereth him to do so. But if any of the work of the artists is to be sold, let them, through whose hands the transaction must pass, see to it, that they do not presume to practice any fraud on the monastery. Let them always be mindful of Ananias and Saphira, lest, perhaps, the death which these suffered in the body (cf. Acts 5:1-11), they and all who practice any fraud in things belonging to the monastery suffer in the soul. On the other hand, as regards the prices of these things, let not the vice of avarice creep in, but let it always be given a little cheaper than it can be given by seculars, that God may be glorified in all things (1 Pt 4:11).”

Benedict of Nursia (480-547) Founder of Twelve Communities and Author of the Rule that governed them. This excerpt is from The Rule of St. Benedict 57 entitled “Of the Artists of the Monastery.”

The Rule of St. Benedict is another one from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. It’s essentially an Italian discipleship manual from the late fifth and early sixth century.

Let’s lean into a powerful idea that wages war against generosity and surfaces in today’s Scripture and meditation. It’s fraud. As we see in today’s Scripture, it tarnishes even the most devout and diligent person. Notice the rich man in the Scripture reports keeping all the commandments.

And a look closer reveals that Jesus adds one that’s not part of the proverbial top ten list (cf. the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20), namely, do not defraud. Before digging further, let’s clarify definitions. To defraud is to commit fraud. So Jesus tells the rich man not to commit fraud.

So, what is fraud. In biblical terms it’s the wrong handling of God’s money for personal gain. Most people don’t think of bad stewardship as fraud, but that’s exactly what it is, and we are all guilty of it at one time or another in our lives.

So, now lean into the post from Benedict. Each gifted or talented person in the monastery was to do five things: use their talent, remain humble, avoid fraud, charge a less than competitive price for wares, and ensure God’s glory in their use of their giftedness.

What great advice for us! Don’t follow the economic rules of your society, but rather a rule like this one for disciples. And notice the benefits. It helps you avoid avarice and positions you to serve as a fruitful and generous servant as part of a community of faith.

One more thought from Paul. The purpose of work is not to amass wealth but to have resources to share. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28

Why bring this up? Many think that the fruit of their labor belongs to them. Moses reminds us that even the ability to produce wealth comes from God (cf. Deuteronomy 8:18). These are powerful ideas so soak in the Scriptures if you sense any conviction from the Spirit.

To grow in generosity and avoid avarice, let’s all use giftedness, stay humble, avoid fraud, charge less than competitive rates, and ensure God’s glory in all we do. We can do this. God will take care of us. Anything else is fraud. Don’t go there.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

“My dear friend in God, I beg you, stay alert and attentive to the way you are progressing in your vocation. And give thanks to God for this calling, so that with the help of His grace you may stand firm against all the subtle assaults of the enemies who will harass you from within and without and so that you may come to win the reward of life unending. Amen…

Be sure that if you are occupied with something less than God, you place it above you for the time being and create a barrier between yourself and God. Therefore, firmly reject all clear ideas however pious or thoughtful.

For I tell you this: one loving, blind desire for God alone is more valuable in itself, more pleasing to God and to the saints, more beneficial to your own growth, and more helpful to your friends, both living and dead, than anything else you could do.”

Excerpt from The Cloud of Unknowing in The Cloud of Unknowing and the Book of Privy Counseling (New York: Image, 1973) 36, 52.

The Cloud of Unknowing was written by an anonymous Christian mystic written in Middle English in the latter half of the 14th century. It’s another book on this list, 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics.

The author wrote it to you and me as dear friends in God, so that’s how I reference the writer.

Notice our friend in God wants us to stay alert, focused on God, and not be occupied by anything else. We must not even think about generously doing things for God, but merely have “blind desire” for Him, reminding ourselves that this marks the best help we can give to ourselves and others.

God, we occupy ourselves with You, knowing this is the best and most generous thing we can do for ourselves and for our friends today and everyday. Amen.

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:6-8

“Every action has its quality, and this quality God has reserved to His own will and gift. In order that the dependence of man upon God, the will of God, may be shown the more clearly, and that he may be plunged more deeply into humility, God has assigned to the will and strength of man only the quantity of prayer. He has commanded unceasing prayer, always to pray, at all times and in every place.

By this the secret method of achieving true prayer, and at the same time faith, and the fulfillment of God’s commandments, and salvation, are revealed. Thus, it is quantity which is assigned to man, as his share; frequency of prayer is his own, and within the province of his will. This is exactly what the Fathers of the church teach.

St. Macarius the Great says truly to pray is the gift of grace. Isaiah the Solitary says that frequency of prayer becomes a habit and turns into second nature, and without frequent calling upon the name of Jesus Christ it is impossible to cleanse the heart. The venerable Callistus and Ignatius counsel frequent, continuous prayer in the name of Jesus Christ before all ascetic exercises and good works, because frequency brings even the imperfect prayer to perfection.

Blessed Diadochos asserts that if a man calls upon the name of God as often as possible, then he will not fall into sin. What experience and wisdom there are here, and how near to the heart these practical instructions of the Fathers are. In their experience and simplicity they throw much light upon the means of bringing the soul to perfection.”

The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way, translated from the Russian by E. French (New York: Harper, 1965) 168-169.

The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way is another great book on the must read list: 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. It’s the source of today’s post.

The relationship between Paul and Timothy in today’s Scripture mirrors the unnamed Russian Pilgrim and his interaction with the Fathers on his spiritual journey.

It reminds me of my journey with the ancients through Daily Meditations.

What insight from the Fathers struck you? Read their comments again, if necessary. For me, the counsel of the venerable Callistus stood out. It reminds me of the phrase, practice makes perfect.

Of course, in biblical terms, perfection means completeness or maturity. So, Callistus says, frequent and continuous prayer coupled with good works brings even the most broken person to maturity in their generosity.

Thank the LORD! That means there’s hope for all of us then.

Jesus help me, on this my 55th birthday to imitate your generosity. Through frequent and continuous prayer, help this humble pilgrim keep growing to maturity so my life brings you glory. Amen.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:22-24

“Worldly possessions tend to turn the hearts of the disciples away from Jesus. What are we really devoted to? That is the question. Are our hearts set on earthly goods? Do we try to combine devotion to them with loyalty to Christ? Or are we devoted exclusively to him? The light of the body is the eye, and the light of the Christian is his heart. If the eye be dark, how great is the darkness of the body! But the heart is dark when it clings to earthly goods, for then, however urgently Jesus may call us, his call fails to find access to our hearts. Our hearts are closed, for they have already been given to another. As the light cannot penetrate the body when the eye is evil, so the word of Jesus cannot penetrate the disciple’s heart so long as it is closed against it. The word is choked like the seed which was sown among thorns, choked “with cares and riches and pleasures of this life” (Luke 8:14).

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Cost of Discipleship (New York: Macmillan, 1979) 193.

Cost of Discipleship is another awesome book on the must read list: 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. It’s the source of today’s post.

At this time of year, the marketers work overtime to get our attention to purchase their wares. They used to focus on billboards and TV advertisements. Now we also get bombarded banner ads on the internet.

Like Santa in the songs knows everything what we want for Christmas, the search engines seem to know everything that will catch our attention and seek to convince us to buy.

Bonhoeffer would likely say in reply: protect your eye. This is not saying to put a patch on it but to guard it. It’s saying to be careful what captivates your view, because if your eye is unhealthy, everything will be unhealthy.

Rather than live, give, love, and serve generously, we will become consumed by the desire to acquire some consumer goods. What we think we need (apart from Christ) enslaves us. To avoid it, we protect our eye by fixing it on Christ.

Bonhoeffer rightly reminds us not to try to combine earthly stuff with Christ because it echos what our Lord said. We can’t serve two masters. What does your eye reveal about whom you serve?

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10

“As God has created all things for the common good of all men, so let that part of them which has fallen to your share be employed, as God would have all employed, for the common good of all. Do good, my son, first of all to those that most deserve it; but remember to do good to all. The greatest sinners receive daily instances of God’s goodness towards them; He nourishes and preserves them, that they may repent, and return to Him: do you therefore imitate God, and think no one too bad to receive your relief and kindness, when you see that he wants it.”

William Law (1686-1761) in A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL, 2000) 135.

This is another book from the list of the 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. Where able, I will include a link for you to access the book freely on PDF.

This book aims to inspire readers to grow in their devotion to living out the Christian life. Or as the Apostle Paul put it in today’s Scripture, to not become weary but press on in doing good and showing kindness to all.

It’s important at Christmas and throughout the year to live this out. Our generosity must not just extend to those we think deserve our aid because we received grace and mercy from God when we were undeserving.

This also shows our faith to a watching world. When we do this, we imitate God. In Luke 6:35, when we are kind to even the undeserving, we are labeled, “children of the Most High.” See for yourself.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

If He can be kind to them, so can we. And, it may lead them to repentance. In this light, our generosity to the undeserving may be the greatest form of evangelism: showing tangible love to the unworthy can soften the hardest hearts.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

“We do not content ourselves with the life we have in ourselves and in our own being; we desire to live an imaginary life in the mind of others, and for this purpose we endeavour to shine. We labour unceasingly to adorn and preserve this imaginary existence and neglect the real. And if we possess calmness, or generosity, or truthfulness, we are eager to make it known, so as to attach these virtues to that imaginary existence.

We would rather separate them from ourselves to join them to it; and we would willingly be cowards in order to acquire the reputation of being brave. A great proof of the nothingness of our being, not to be satisfied with the one without the other, and to renounce the one for the other! For he would be infamous who would not die to preserve his honour.

We are so presumptuous that we would wish to be known by all the world, even by people who shall come after, when we shall be no more; and we are so vain that the esteem of five or six neighbours delights and contents us. We do not trouble ourselves about being esteemed in the towns through which we pass. But if we are to remain a little while there, we are so concerned. How long is necessary? A time commensurate with our vain and paltry life.

Vanity is so anchored in the heart of man that a soldier, a soldier’s servant, a cook, a porter brags and wishes to have his admirers. Even philosophers wish for them. Those who write against it want to have the glory of having written well; and those who read it desire the glory of having read it. I who write this have perhaps this desire, and perhaps those who will read it.”

Pensées by Blaise Pascal, section 1:147-150.

In the Renovare resource book, 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics, editor Julia L. Roller surveyed a prestigious board that came up with this list of must read books.

1. On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius (~AD 318)
2. Confessions by St. Augustine (~AD 398)
3. The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
4. The Rule of St. Benedict by St. Benedict (~AD 400)
5. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri (~AD 1320)
6. The Cloud of Unknowing by Anonymous (~AD 1375)
7. Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
8. The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (~AD 1420)
9. The Philokalia (4th-15th Century)
10. Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
11. The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila (AD 1577)
12. Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross
13. Pensées by Blaise Pascal (AD 1669)
14. The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (AD 1678)
15. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
16. A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law (AD 1729)
17. The Way of a Pilgrim by Unknown Author
18. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
19. Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton
20. The Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins
21. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
22. A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly
23. The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton
24. Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
25. The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J. M. Nouwen

I’ve read many of these classics and decided to use this list as a guide for my reading in the coming days. Perhaps pick one for your reading. That said, I started with Pascal. This post come from Pensées. Though written centuries ago, it rings with modern relevance.

Most people go about living imaginary lives. Just this week in my Pinehurst Bible Study we read today’s Scripture: Love must be sincere or real. We talked about how unreal many people are today. Real love is coupled with unselfish service, spiritual fervor, perseverance, and sharing.

Related to generosity, it’s giving not to get a reputation. If so, it just proves the “nothingness of our being” apart from Christ.  Instead it’s giving that flows through us because we are connected to Christ, as the divine source, and serving as a channel of His goodness for His glory.

As you reflect in the days leading up to Christmas, soak in this Scripture, abandon the imaginary, and ask the Spirit to show you how you might live, give, serve, and love in real ways.

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

John Agresto comments. “Accounts of those offering “help” to the homeless provide pleasant glows, but they end up harming the poor.”… “Unlike compassion, sentimentality makes us feel good. We feel warm all over and lumpy in the throat. We can get rid of it with a good cry. Through it we enjoy a glow of feeling without incurring a debt of obligation. Unlike compassion, sentimentality is often easy and pleasant.”…

Marvin Olasky adds. “They lead good-hearted citizens to offer medicine more likely to harm than help. Those who want to help the homeless often work hard, sometimes as volunteers, to open new shelters.”

But Gina Kolata notes. “Shelters only make the drug problem among the homeless worse. Al­though shelters are supposed to be drug free, drug use is often open and widespread… Many shelter residents actually have jobs, but they spend all their money on drugs.”

John Agresto in “Educating About Compassion” in American Education (Sum­mer, 1982: 20) and Gina Kolata, New York Times (22 May 1989: Al) as referenced by Marvin Olasky in The Tragedy of American Compassion by Marvin Olasky (Washington DC: Regnery, 2022) 213.

As I near the end of this book, I discovered an important distinction from Agresto.

We must avoid sentimentality and pursue compassion. The former makes us feel good but as little impact. The latter may be hard work that does not feel very good but promises long-term impact.

It feels good to set up a shelter and let someone else help the needy.

All over the world I see sentimental handouts creating unhealthy dependency. As Olasky and Kolata added pointedly, these handouts also promote abuse and the opposite behavior we hope to nurture.

Please only support ministries that give a compassionate hand up to build disciples.